Apprentice crowned at New College Lanarkshire

A bright spark from New College Lanarkshire has been crowned the area’s top first year electrical engineering apprentice.

Mark Savage was victorious at the SECTT West of Scotland Apprentice of the Year competition, held recently at the College’s Motherwell Campus.

The 23-year-old from Holytown, Motherwell impressed on a practical test and a theory exam.

He was among 12 apprentices to compete, who were drawn from five colleges across the Greater Glasgow area, Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway.

Jenny McEwan, 22, from Lesmahagow, a second year apprentice, also represented New College Lanarkshire.

Mark, who is employed by Bellshill-based JFM Electrical, said: “It feels brilliant to win this.

“I was really nervous doing the practical, but once I got started I was fine and it was so worth it.

“Being out with my employer has been a really good experience and I’ve had lots of support from the College, too, so I’m really chuffed to have shown my hard work by winning this.”

All participating apprentices received a certificate at the awards ceremony, which was attended by family, friends, employers and lecturers.

Mark, who also received a Makita drill driver, will now go forward to a final in September when an expert panel will decide on gold, silver and bronze positions.

Jack McCormack won the runner up title in the first stage of the Apprentice of the Year Awards.

The Dalmuir man, who is in the first year of his traineeship with Drumchapel firm Magnus Electrical Services, narrowly missed out on the top award.

The twenty-year-old impressed judges following a rigorous assessment of both his practical skills and theoretical knowledge, gained on the job and while studying at West College in Clydebank.

Magnus Electrical Services MD, Colin Murray, said: “Jack has a very mature and professional approach to work and from the moment he started with us we knew he was going to achieve great things.

“He is not just hard working and has great people skills but he is extremely bright and has a very enquiring mind, all of which are fantastic qualities for an electrician.

“I know Jack and he will not want to rest on his laurels but will make sure he is in the running for the top award again next time around.”

Jack started with Magnus in 2014 after leaving school in sixth year.

He said: “I had always fancied working as an electrician and it was the best decision I have ever made as I am thoroughly enjoying the challenges of my new career, which is very fulfilling. Colin and the team at Magnus have been terrific and really supportive of me and I would like to thank them for having so much faith in me.”

The event was organised by SECTT (Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust), which runs the only industry-approved training scheme for electrical apprenticeships in Scotland.

SECTT’s training & development manager, Roy Dow, said: “The Apprentice of the Year competition encourages apprentices to excel, promotes the industry and recognises apprentices’ achievements.

“Both the practical and theory parts of the competition are difficult, however the candidates are the best from their college groups and must have excelled to be selected to compete.

“Mark’s work was excellent – both his practical and theory scores were very high.”

Mark Ingram, head of faculty for engineering and automotive, said: “I am delighted that New College Lanarkshire recently hosted the SECTT West of Scotland Apprentice of the Year and it was tremendous to see one of our own students picking up the 1st Stage Apprentice of the Year award.

“Our staff work very hard to ensure that we provide the highest quality training and education, and this can be seen through our strong partnership with SECTT and the continued success of our learners.

“Competitions like this build confidence levels in our learners who can demonstrate their ability, not only at a local level, but also at a national level.

“We wish Mark every success in the future.”